'I am Jane Doe' protests call for end to sexual violence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 13:24 · Archive

Tens of thousands protested across more than 40 US states on 8 October against sexual violence, following allegations at Cornell University and Louisiana State University.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered at city halls and college campuses across more than 40 US states on 8 October to demand an end to sexual violence. The rallies followed weeks of public outcry over the mishandling of campus sexual assault cases at Cornell University and Louisiana State University.

The protest organisers – including Women's March, Feminist Generation and Me Too International – demanded justice for 'Jane Doe', who alleges she was drugged and assaulted by seven students at a Cornell fraternity party in October 2024, and for Kendall Francis, who says she was raped by an LSU football player. They called for reform of Title IX, a set of protections for sexual misconduct victims that the Trump administration has scaled back. The protests also addressed broader concerns about rape culture: according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 81% of women and 43% of men in the US said they have experienced sexual harassment or assault.

Following the lawsuit filed by 'Jane Doe' against Cornell, prosecutors reopened the case and New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed the state's attorney general as special prosecutor. While the crowds at the Stop Sexual Violence rally in New York City were predominantly women, men of all ages attended, holding 'I Am Jane Doe' signs and calling to end rape culture.

How it is being reported

• Six men on how they plan to stand up against rape culture: ‘Boys need to be taught what is appropriate’While most of the crowd at a Stop Sexual Violence rally in New York City was mostly women, men of all ages were in attendance too Tens of thousands of protesters gathered at city halls and college campuses across the country on Thursday to demand an end to sexual violence. The nationwide rallies followed weeks of public outcry over the mishandling of campus sexual assault cases at Cornell University and Louisiana State University. The protest organizers – including Women’s March, Feminist Generation and Me Too International – demanded justice for Jane Doe , who said she was drugged and…The Guardian · 10 Oct, 13:00
• Watch: 'I am Jane Doe' protests across US call for end to sexual violenceProtests against sexual violence took place across more than 40 US states on 8 October.BBC News · 9 Oct, 17:19

In this story: Jane Doe · Cornell University · Chi Phi · Louisiana State University · Kendall Francis · Kathy Hochul · New York

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